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With the warm weather approaching, you've probably been thinking
about taking some time off for rest and relaxation and maybe taking
a vacation. And since your dog is part of the family, you may also
be thinking of bringing him along. If you’re planning a hotel
stay during your vacation, it’s not as simple as just showing
up at the hotel with your dog. You’ll need to do some researching
and/or calling ahead of time to make sure there’s a hotel
in the area that will accept pets. There are many good travel books
available, such as "The California Dog Lover's Companion"
(by Maria Goodavage), and even AAA books. There are also some good
websites, such as dogfriendly.com
or pet-friendly-hotels.net.
You should still ask the hotels about pets when you call, since
these books and information can become outdated and, even if you
stayed at the same hotel last year and they accepted your dog at
that time, things may have changed. Also, be sure to inquire about
any size restrictions. Some hotels will allow dogs, but only smaller
breeds.
Another option is to use Airbnb. You can search listings to see if they take dogs. The Pooch Coach even has an Airbnb listing for an overnight dog training adventure in San Francisco. Check it out here!
Before
you leave home there are a few things you need to prepare before
your trip. It might seem like a lot of extra trouble at the onset
– however, if anything were to happen to your dog while you’re
away, you’ll be grateful that you came so well prepared.
- Ensure
that your dog has identification in addition to tags. Getting
your dog microchipped is much more secure and reliable.
- Get
copies of your dog’s veterinary records.
- Bring
a recent photo of your dog.
- Pack
a special bag just for your dog. Include his favorite toys,
bedding, grooming tools, food and food dishes, water dishes (collapsible dishes are great for traveling), and
plenty of pooper bags.
- Bring
a leash, especially if you’re staying at a hotel. It’s
not a good idea to let your dog roam around freely amongst hotel
guests who might be afraid of dogs, and most hotels require
the dog to be on leash.
At
the hotel
Once
you’ve arrived at your vacation destination and have settled
into your hotel room, there are a few golden rules you should follow:
-
Never
leave your dog in the hotel room alone, for a number of reasons.
Even the most well-trained dog can cause damage, bark or scare
the housekeeping staff. This will prevent housekeeping staff
from entering and being caught off guard by your dog (or vice
versa).
-
If
your dog is a puppy or is not as well-trained as you'd like,
bring a crate to use to prevent any potential damage.
-
Always clean up after your dog – in the hotel room and
when you take him out for a walk.
By
setting a good example as a pet owner, you can help ensure that
you and your dog will be welcome back for future vacations.
Safe travels!
Need some help to make your dog safe for travel?
Contact us for help today
info@poochcoach.com
Phone:
415-643-3333
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